Dr. Esra Atasu

After my grandmother's stroke, we were lost. She couldn't move her right side and had given up. Dr. Esra Atasu didn't just see a 78-year-old patient; she saw a person who loved knitting and her garden. Her rehabilitation plan was unlike anything we'd heard of—incorporating gentle hand exercises with textured yarns and planning 'virtual garden walks' using scent therapy alongside physical therapy. Within three months, Grandma was holding a knitting needle again. Dr. Atasu's holistic, patient-centered approach gave us our matriarch back, not just physically but in spirit. Her compassion is her greatest medicine.

Our 8-year-old son, Ali, developed severe hip pain after a mysterious viral infection. Multiple doctors were stumped, calling it 'growing pains.' Dr. Atasu spent an entire consultation on the floor with him, watching how he moved his toy cars. She diagnosed a rare post-viral synovitis and designed a rehab program disguised as play—'pirate adventures' to improve range of motion, 'superhero strength' exercises. She even coordinated with his school PE teacher. Her ability to speak a child's language, both literally and figuratively, was miraculous. Ali is now pain-free and back on the soccer field, all thanks to her insightful, playful methodology.

I'm a professional violinist, and a repetitive strain injury in my left shoulder threatened my career. This wasn't a standard rehabilitation case; my livelihood depended on millimeter-precise movement. Dr. Atasu, herself understanding the arts, collaborated with a biomechanist. She developed a bespoke regimen analyzing my bowing technique, incorporating micro-exercises for the scapular muscles I never knew existed, and using EMG biofeedback. She treated me not as a set of symptoms but as a musician whose instrument was my body. I returned to the stage within four months, with better posture and endurance than before the injury. She saved my career with her innovative, specialized approach.

Following a complex spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis, my recovery was daunting. The surgery was successful, but the rehabilitation was the real challenge. Dr. Atasu's post-surgical protocol was incredibly detailed and progressive, focusing on neuro-muscular re-education. She used a combination of aquatic therapy in Ankara Hospital's pool to reduce gravity's load, followed by land-based stability work with cutting-edge balance technology. What set her apart was her relentless optimism and her 'milestone' system—celebrating small wins like putting on socks independently. She guided me from a rigid post-op brace to walking confidently. Her expertise in post-surgical rehab is exceptional and deeply humanizing.